The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-06
Reception Last Evening.

CHICAGO, Oct. 5.-Simplicty and lack of os-
tentation the distinguishing characteristics
of the reception to the President and Mrs.
Cleveland this evening at the Columbia Theater,
where only those were admitted who had been
formally invited beforehand by the committee
of citizens charged with that duty. Ten thou
sand tickets had been issued. each admitting one
man and his complement of ladies' The vicin-
ity of the theater was jammed with curious
spectators, who eyed closely the occupants of
the carriages rolling up one after another to the
ma in entrance of the theater. No one had been
admitted inside before the advent of the pres,.
Dental party. and people who came in carriages.
we'll those who came otherwise. were
obliged TO wait in lines stretching fully block
on the sidewalk in either direction from the
theater Within was a scene of rare loneliness.
Barring liberal display os the stars and
stripes. the decorations were wholly composed
of natural flowers and foliage, and the effect
strikingly rich but subdued Roses predomi-
mated, not less than seventy thousand having
been utilized. A floor had been laid throughout
the house. level with tie stage. and beautifully
carpeted. The stage itself had been arranged to
represent the reception hall of modern man.
sion. though the walls were nearly hidden by a
profusion of ferns and palms. simultaneously
with the President and wife entering from the
side Of the stage, and taking their stand
under massive chandelier in the
center of the stage. the line OF people,
Two ABREAST ADVANCED toward tnem, nea0eu
by Gen. A. H Terry and wife. The orchestra
in the balcony broke into melody. The group of
ladies accompanying Mrs. Cleveland clustered
about her with their escorts, and under the soft
lights shed over all, she with her husband,
greeted couple after couple with pleasant
word and SMILE and hearty shake of the hand
Brilliant toilets were in the line, beautiful as
they were costly, and many of them. but they
were the exception, not the rule. Not over
three-ffths of the gentlemen wore the regula-
ton claw-hammer, the coat of the remainder be-
ing generally Prince Albert The President
himself. was in fuli-dress. Mrs. Cleveland
looked Queenly in close-fttine
simply made reception gown of dark
mistletoe green plush. cut moderately low. and
quantity trimmed at the neck and on the short
sleeves with ancient Escuriai lace In her hair
ship. A necklace of diamonds sparkled at her
throat, while around her waist. contrasting with
the rich green plush hung girdle Of old gold
heavy cord and sassel. 1t seemed that she
would never tire OF welcoming the people who
gided by her, proceeding either to the balconies
or homeward, and the President was no less
gracious. more notable picture it would be
they stood tonight the center of admiration
at the Columbia.
1t had been announced that the reception
would close at IL o'clock. The President and
Mrs. Cleveland looked at the line of anxious
faces, and fingered past the hour. Five min
utes. ten minutes went by, but the
crowd still seemed uEending. and from
hours, were disappointed It was not wanting
much of midnight when the place was finally
cleared
After the close of rhe reception at the Colum-
bia Theater, the President and wife driven
to the hotel and retired for the night.